News Release »&nbsp

Pilot Mountain State Park reopens following fire

RALEIGH -- Pilot Mountain State Park in Surry County reopened today following an uncontrolled woodlands fire that began Nov. 8, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. However, the principal overlook at Little Pinnacle, the climbing area and some trails remain off-limits to visitors as mop-up efforts continue.

Park staff and the N.C. Forest Service continue to monitor a 675-acre area affected by the fire as well as containment lines, and some damaged trees near the mountain’s summit are being removed. The park’s campground, picnic area and most overlooks will be available to visitors, and portions of the trail system will be evaluated in coming days for reopening. The Grassy Ridge Trail, Corridor Trail and River Section are open. The blaze began as a prescribed fire that escaped lines when embers blew from a dead tree into steep terrain.